He
said this was because politicians were already using social media to engage
with people online.

“Of
course, it will not be the biggest factor in the elections, but it is certainly
increasing the tempo of political debate,” he said after launching the Malaysia
Social Media Week 2013 summit.

He
has more than 1 million followers on Twitter and some 1.2 million “likes” on
Facebook, Najib was given a special
Leadership in Social Media Engagement Award at the event organised by the
Malaysia Social Media Chambers.

He
said social media had encouraged greater openness. “With
social media, everyone has a voice, and can broadcast it to the world.It allows
people to reach across traditional boundaries and barriers, to engage in real
discussion, in real time,” he said.

He
said the Government had put in a lot of effort to ensure every Malaysian had
access to social media.

“Initiatives
like Digital Malaysia offer smartphone vouchers to young people and expand
broadband access in rural areas,” he added.

Najib
also posted his first Instagram picture of the audience which he took using his
iPad on his newly set-up Instagram account @najib_razak.